Snap switch



Oct. 23, 1934. A. F. wALLBlLplcH 1,977,705

SNAP SWITCH Filed Feb. 25, 1 930,

2 INVENTOR Y @wl/1W ATToRNE Patented Oct. 23, 1934l UNITED STATES SNAP SWITCH Anthony F. Wallbillich, Hollis, N. Y., assigner to Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application February 25, 1930, Serial No. 431,119

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a snap switch in which a switch member is fulcrumed and provided with a spring so that the switch member will be moved to the opened and closed positions by a snap g action when the switch operating member is operated. The switch is housed within a base of insulating material which can be shaped so that it can be applied to the surface of a wall or sup' port along the outside of the surface in a very M convenient manner.

The invention will be understood from the description in connection 'with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of thedevice with its cover removed; Fig. 2 is a section on an enlarged scalealong the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end view of the switch operatingmember and Fig. 5 is a side view of the switch.

In the drawing reference character 1 indicates no a base of insulating material which is preferably cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical base 1 is provided with axially extending counter-sunk holes 2 so that the base can be attached by means of screws to a wall or flat surface.

Recesses 3, 3' are provided at the end of the base 1 opposite its face and on opposite sides of the integral cross member 4 leaving a circular flange 5 that rests against the wall or support. Slots 6 are provided along the edge of the flange 5 to permit electric wires that may pass along the outside surface of the wall o r support to enter the recesses 3, 3 and still permit the flange 5 of the base to rest hat against the wall or support. Holes 7 extend through the base 1 in an axial direction ss-l'rom the recess 3 so that the ends of the wires can bevconnected to the conta/ct members 3 near the end of the base opposite the recess 3. Contact members 3 are held in place by means of the screws 9 that pass through counter-sunk holes 10 in the base 1 and into the threaded holes in the contacts 8. The binding screws on the contacts 3 are shown at 11. The contacts 8 are placed in recesses in the face of the base l and an integral rib 8' of insulating material between them acts as a barrier to decrease the danger of an arc forming between these contacts. A pair of spaced blade contacts 12 is provided for each contact member 3 and these pairs of contacts extend downwardly and inwardly into an opening in the base 1 that is provided for them. A stop 13 that is integral with the base 1 is provided between the pairs of contact blades 12.

A V-shaped opening 14 is provided in the base 1 with its wide portion at the face end of the base 1 and its narrow portion extending into the cross member .4. A thin metal plate 15, which may be made of steel, for example, is provided in the recess 16 along the face of the base 1 and has spaced arms 17 along one side thereof. Screws 18 pass through holes in the base 1 from 50 the recess 3 into threaded holes in the plate 15 to hold this plate securely in place in the recess 16.

A switch member 20 is provided in the V-shaped opening 14 and has a pair of forwardlyl extending arms 2l along its edges to enter between the pairs 65 of contact blades 12 to close the circuit when the switch member is in its closing position. The switch member 20 is provided with fulcrums 22 that are pivoted in the pointed bottom of the il-shaped opening 14 to permit the switch mem- 70 ber 20 to be tilted back and 'forth to close and open the circuit. The switch member 20 is provided with an extensionI 23 at the end opposite the fulcrums 22.. Lugs 2li are provided on the switch member with holes, through which holes 7d a pin 25 with a rounded head 25 passes. A compression spring 26 surrounds the pin 25 and ex tension 23 and is located between the head 25' and the main portion of the switch member 20.

Stops 27, in the form of parallel ribs, are pro- 3@ vided on the side of the opening 1t opposite the lugs 13, against which stops the edges of the arms 21 contact when the switch is in its open posi= tion. The space between the stops 27 is entered by a portion of the switch member 20 and spring 85 26 in the open position ci the switch.

Bearings 28 are provided in the face of the base 1 along opposite sides o1 the opening 14. An ap' proximately semi-circular switch operating member 30 of insulating material is provided with a 30 handle 31 'and with trunnions 32 which rest in the bearings 28. The arms 17 of the plate y15 extend across the trunnions 32 and keep the same in place in the bearings 28. The trunnions 32 are provided with annular shoulders 33 that bear 95 against the walls of the opening 14 and also against the edges of the arms 17.

A groove 34 is provided in the bottom of the straight or diametrical portion `of the switch member 30, in which groove the `head 25 of the pin 100 25 slides back and forth in the operation of the device. Stops 35 are provided at opposite ends of the groove 34.

A circular plate cover 36 of insulating material is provided with a flange 37 that rests against 105 the annular seat 38 that is provided on the base 1 for it. An elongated opening 39 is provided in the cover 36, through which opening the handle 31 and a part of the switch operating member 30 project. A lug 40 may be provided on the face 110 screw 41 passes through the cover 36 into a threaded opening 42 in the plate 15 for keeping the cover securely in place.

The operation is as follows:

When the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 2 the circuit is closed from one contact member 8 through one pair of contact blades 12, one of the arms 21, switch member 20, the other arm 21, the other pair of contact blades 12 to the other contact member 8. When the switch operating member 30 is turned in the clockwise direction the spring 26 is compressed by the movement 3f the pin 25 through the lugs 24. While the member 30 is being turned the angle between the groove 34 andthe pin 25 keeps increasing until a point is reached where the angle is greater than a right angle, whereupon the rounded head of the pin 25 slides to the other end of the groove 34 against the stop 35 with a quick motion, thus suddenly withdrawing the arms 21 from the contact blades 12 and causing the edges of these arms to strike the stops 27, while at the same time the spring 26 expands and throws the member 30 to the limit of its movement about its pivot so that its edge strikes the stop 13. The spring 26 by pressing the head 25' o`f the pinv25 against the end of the groove 34 prevents the switch from being accidentally closed after it has been opened. The switch can, however, be closed by turning the switch operating member 30 in the anti-clockwise direction, in a manner similar to that described for opening the switch. The switch operating member 30 is limited in its closed position by the other edge thereof lstriking a stop 13 on the other side of the opening 14 corresponding to the stop 13.

The spring 26 pushes the trunnions 32 against the steel arms 1'7 so that'the wear is taken oi of the bearings 28, and this spring with its initial tension even in the extreme positions of the switch operatingmember 30 prevents the same from rattling. The end of the switch operating member 30 and the stop 13 between the pairs of blade contacts 12 form a barrier of insulating material which prevents an arc from forming between these pairs of contacts.

I claim:

1. In a snap switch, a tiltable switch member, a slidable pin and a spring carried by said member on the outside of said pin, and spaced lugs onl said switch member. having holes through which said pin slides.

2. In a snap switch, a base of insulating material, a tiltable switch member pivoted at one i end in said base, a slidable pin and a spring surrounding said pin carried by said switch member, said switch member having extensions on opposite sides of said pin, and said base having surfaces contacted by said extensions in its extreme positions.

ANTHONY F. WALLBILLICH. 

